Injectable sterile aqueous formulation based on crosslinked hyaluronic acid and hydroxyapatite for aesthetic use

ABSTRACT

The object of the present invention is an injectable sterile aqueous formulation, ready-to-use, resorbable, used for aesthetic purposes as a particulate, cohesive, viscoelastic gel comprising i) crosslinked hyaluronic acid, or one of its salts, at a concentration of between 0.1% and 4% (mass/volume); the crosslinking carried out providing the possibility of obtaining a gel based on crosslinked hyaluronic acid with a so-called cohesive structure, and ii) hydroxyapatite, at a concentration of between more than 70% and 140% (mass/volume), said hydroxyapatite being in the form of particles with an average size of less than or equal to 200 μm; said injectable sterile aqueous formulation having viscoelastic properties such that tan δ at the frequency of 1 Hz is less than or equal to 0.60.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is a ready-to-use resorbableinjectable sterile aqueous formulation used for aesthetic purposes as aparticulate cohesive viscoelastic gel comprising i) crosslinkedhyaluronic acid, or one of its salts, at a concentration of between 0.1%and 4% (mass/volume); the crosslinking carried out providing thepossibility of obtaining a gel based on crosslinked hyaluronic acid witha so-called cohesive structure and ii) hydroxyapatite, at aconcentration of between more than 70% and 140% (mass/volume), saidhydroxyapatite being in the form of particles with an average size ofless than or equal to 200 μm; said injectable sterile aqueousformulation having viscoelastic properties such that tan δ at thefrequency of 1 Hz is less than or equal to 0.60.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ageing is a natural phenomenon with which any individual is confronted.It is inevitably accompanied by a reduction in the cell activity of thehuman body.

The most visible signs of age appear on the face: the skin slackens andthe first wrinkles appear. Many solutions have been developed forattempting to slow down the occurrence of these signs of age or torepair already established signs.

Among these solutions, mention may be made of a technique which consistsof injecting into or under the skin so-called filling substances, thesesubstances may be resorbable or non-resorbable in vivo. The role ofthese substances is to fill the collapsed portions by creating volume inor under the skin, for treating different portions of the body, inparticular the face. By this mechanical effect, the skin is re-tensionedand the wrinkles are smoothed, leading to a younger appearance of thetreated area.

Among the so-called resorbable filling substances, mention may be madeof crosslinked hyaluronic acid (HA) (also called «stabilized HA») usedin dermal aesthetics. It is injected into or under the dermis in orderto fill wrinkles or restore the volume of various areas of the body fora period of several months. It has the advantage of having very littlesecondary effects in post-injection and extremely rare complications inthe long term. On the other hand, in the case of a bad injection, thepractitioner has the possibility of correcting his/her treatment byinjecting a solution of hyaluronidases (specific enzymes of HA), asolution which will degrade the product based on crosslinked HA whichwas injected beforehand. Injections of crosslinked HA, because of theirgradual disappearance (resorption of the polymer in the tissues overtime) have to be repeated at regular intervals, generally from 6 to 12months, in order to maintain the efficiency of the treatment.Non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid itself has a short residence time in theskin (a half-life of less than a week), it is degraded in vivo byvarious factors such as radical, enzymatic, thermal and mechanicaldegradation. It is indeed the crosslinking which allows it tosignificantly increase its half-life by slowing down the degradationkinetics of hyaluronic acid according to the factors described above,thus allowing efficiency of the aesthetic treatment which may attainabout 12 months.

Intensive scientific research is carried out worldwide in order todevelop treatments based on hyaluronic acid having reinforcedperformance over time. The goal is notably to have products capable ofbeing degraded less rapidly in order to retain an optimum aestheticeffect over a period as long as possible, while retaining a very highlevel of security of the injected products.

Other resorbable filling substances exist on the dermo-aestheticsmarket. Mention may for example be made of products containing calciumhydroxyapatite. These particles are suspended in an aqueous phase whichmay contain a polymer like carboxymethylcellulose, a derivative ofcellulose. The products of this family are injected into or under thedermis in order to fill the wrinkles or restore the volume of variousareas of the body and in particular the face. They show a high level ofbiocompatibility, which justifies the absence of an allergy test beforeinjection. For these products, very few secondary effects orcomplications are reported and a duration of efficiency of the order of12 months or more is observed. From the point of view of resorption, theaqueous phase is rapidly removed from the treated area and thehydroxyapatite particles are degraded and metabolized by macrophagesover time.

A stimulation of the endogenous production of collagen by hydroxyapatiteparticles is also described for these products injected into tissues ofthe skin.

Unfortunately these products tend to migrate, as described in variousscientific publications. This migration poses a problem since it inducespremature loss of the aesthetic effect (less biomaterial at thecorrected area) and may potentially induce secondary effects (theparticles may notably be concentrated in certain portions more or lessat a distance from the area to be treated (because of mechanicalstresses to which the biomaterial is subject) and locally induceso-called hard areas.

In this context, it is important to make available to practitioners,formulations having remarkable mechanical properties adapted toinjections for cosmetic and/or aesthetic purposes having an increasedlifetime in the tissues, ready-to-use, and not having the drawbacksdescribed earlier.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an injectable and bioresorbable sterile aqueousformulation, used for aesthetic purposes, as a particulate cohesiveviscoelastic gel comprising i) crosslinked hyaluronic acid or one of itssalts, at a concentration of between 0.1% and 4% (mass/volume); themolecular mass of hyaluronic acid or one of its salts, being between2.5×10⁵ Da and 4×10⁶ Da, the crosslinking carried out providing thepossibility of obtaining a gel based on crosslinked hyaluronic acid witha so-called cohesive structure, and ii) hydroxyapatite, at aconcentration of between more than 70% and 140% (mass/volume), saidhydroxyapatite being in the form of particles with an average size ofless than or equal to 200 μm; said injectable sterile aqueousformulation having viscoelastic properties such that tan δ at thefrequency of 1 Hz is less than or equal to 0.60.

According to another goal, the present invention relates to a method forpreparing an injectable sterile aqueous formulation comprising the stepsconsisting of: a) preparing a first mixture comprising at least 1% to 4%by weight of crosslinked hyaluronic acid or of one of its salts, byforming covalent bonds between the chains of said biopolymer by means ofbi- or poly-functional molecules, the crosslinking carried out providingthe possibility of obtaining a gel based on crosslinked hyaluronic acidwith a so-called cohesive structure, b) purifying said first mixture, c)then adding hydroxyapatite at a concentration comprised between 5% to60% (mass/volume) by dispersing it homogeneously in the gel based oncrosslinked hyaluronic acid, d) putting the thereby obtained gel in aready-to-use form, e) sterilizing the product in humid heat.

Also according to another object, the present invention relates to a kitpreferably in the form of a syringe containing the formulation asdescribed earlier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

FIG. 1 represents photographs of the comparison of the B′, X gels, andof the formulation based on CMC and hydroxyapatite, according to thetests described in Example 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention described hereafter has the goal of proposing a novelbioresorbable injectable sterile aqueous formulation used for cosmeticand aesthetic purposes and having specific properties ofviscoelasticity, of filling and of long-term performance. Thisformulation is characterized in that it is in the form of a particularcohesive viscoelastic gel comprising

i) crosslinked hyaluronic acid, or one of its salts, at a concentrationof between 0.1% and 4% (mass/volume), the crosslinking carried outproviding the possibility of obtaining a gel based on crosslinkedhyaluronic acid with a so-called cohesive structure, andii) hydroxyapatite, at a concentration of between at least 70% and 140%(mass/volume), said hydroxyapatite being in the form of particles withan average size of less than or equal to 200 μm;said injectable sterile aqueous formulation having viscoelasticproperties such that tan δ at the frequency of 1 Hz is less than orequal to 0.60.

Quite surprisingly, it was seen that this formulation has the remarkableability to generate volume in tissues over the long term, by means ofsynergy between crosslinked hyaluronic acid and hydroxyapatiteparticles, according to the conditions of the invention.

From a mechanical point of view, the hydroxyapatite particles (with asolid behavior: strong elasticity and negligible viscosity) considerablyreinforce the elasticity of the gel and therefore its ability togenerate volume by inducing significant force/pressure on the tissues inorder to correct the defective area to be treated.

Crosslinked hyaluronic acid itself provides viscoelasticity properties,i.e. elasticity but also viscosity with which it is possible to have gelconsistency coming close to that of tissues and therefore thuscompensating for the very strong elasticity and the absence of viscosityprovided by the hydroxyapatite particles. This provides the possibilityof having a product which is integrated into the tissues in a much morehomogeneous way (the patient less feeling the product upon touching),less traumatic for tissues (strong limitation of inflammation inpost-injection) and less painful upon injection.

On the other hand, crosslinked hyaluronic acid under the conditions ofthe invention, will allow considerable reduction in the migration ofhydroxyapatite particles, particles which are retained within the gel,because of the strong cohesivity present on the account of thecrosslinked hyaluronic acid of a cohesive type (crosslinked hyaluronicacid having low resorption kinetics). This strong limitation of themigration provides the possibility of having a gel with an improvedvolume-forming ability over the long term and able to reduceside-effects like the occurrence of so-called hard areas, felt by thepatient.

Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide consisting of the repetition ofglucuronate disaccharide and N-acetyl glucosamine units. It is widelydistributed among connective, epithelial and nerve tissues in humans aswell as in animals. It is one of the main components of theextracellular matrix. It significantly contributes to proliferation andto migration of the cells. It is notably found in a substantialconcentration in the aqueous humor, synovial liquid, skin and theumbilical cord.

Among the preferred salts of hyaluronic acid according to the invention,mention will be made of hyaluronic acid salts with a cation, for examplea mono- or di-valent salt such as a sodium, potassium, magnesium,calcium, manganese salt. Sodium salts are most particularly preferred.

According to the invention hyaluronic acid or one of its salts is in acrosslinked form. This crosslinking is obtained by forming covalentbonds between the chains of said biopolymer by means of bi- orpoly-functional molecules, the crosslinking carried out providing thepossibility of obtaining a gel based on crosslinked hyaluronic acid witha so-called cohesive, further called monophasic structure.

The cohesive nature of the gel based on crosslinked hyaluronic acid is amajor and required specific feature of the invention. The gel should notrapidly disperse when it is introduced into also water, as would a gelwith a non-cohesive nature called a “biphasic” gel (type of gel based oncrosslinked hyaluronic acid which is not able to maintain thehydroxyapatite particles and therefore avoid migration). Example 2brings out this difference between a cohesive and a non-cohesive gel.

The present invention generally comprises a concentration of crosslinkedhyaluronic acid, or of one of its salts, between 0.1% and 4%(mass/volume), preferably between 0.5% and 3% or between 1% and 2%(mass/volume). According to one particularly preferred alternative, theconcentration of crosslinked hyaluronic acid, or of one of its salts isbetween 0.9% and 1.5% (mass/volume). Alternatively, the concentration ofcrosslinked hyaluronic acid, or of one of its salts, may be between1.01% and 2% (mass/volume) or between 1.1% and 1.5% (mass/volume).

Advantageously, the aqueous formulation according to the inventioncomprises hyaluronic acid, or one of its salts, the molecular mass ofwhich is preferably between 2.5×10⁵ Da and 4×10⁶ Da, or 8×10⁵ Da and4×10⁶ Da. According to a particularly preferred alternative, thismolecular mass is between 1×10⁶ Da and 3×10⁶ Da. Alternatively, themolecular mass is preferably between 1×10⁶ Da and 2.5×10⁶ Da, or between1.5×10⁶ Da and 3.5×10⁶ Da.

Hydroxyapatite is a mineral species from the family of phosphates, offormula (Ca₅(PO₄)₃(OH), usually written as Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂ in order tounderline the fact that the lattice of the crystal structure comprisestwo molecules. Hydroxyapatite belongs to the crystallographic family ofapatites, isomorphous compounds having the same hexagonal structure.This compound has been used as a biomaterial for many years in variousmedical specialty products.

The present invention generally comprises a concentration ofhydroxyapatite particles comprised between more than 70% and 140%(mass/volume), preferably between 71% to 135%, or 75% to 130% or 80% to125% (mass/volume), and more preferably, between 85% to 120% or 85% to115% or 90% to 110% or 95% to 105% (mass/volume). The average size ofthe hydroxyapatite particles is less than or equal to 200 μm, preferablyless than 50 μm, preferably greater than 10 μm. According to oneparticularly preferred alternative, the average size of thehydroxyapatite particles is between 5 μm and 100 μm or 10 μm and 100 μm,or between 20 μm and 60 μm or 25 μm and 45 μm.

It has been observed that the viscosity and the elasticity properties ofthe formulation according to the invention are optimum when theparameter tan delta or tan δ, corresponding to the [viscosity modulusG″/elastic modulus G′] ratio at the frequency of 1 Hz, is less than orequal to 0.60, preferably less than or equal to 0.58, more preferablyless than or equal to 0.50. Indeed it was shown that the elastic natureof the formulation according to the invention, relative to itsviscosity, should be sufficiently large so as to be able to avoidsedimentation of the hydroxyapatite particles. Thus, it was observedthat below 0.60, the hydroxyapatite particles tend to settle over time.This sedimentation involves the obtaining of a non-homogeneousformulation based on hydroxyapatite particles, which is not satisfactoryfor the act of injecting the formulation through a needle (blocking theneedle) on the one hand and for the safety and performance of theformulation at the injection area (for example, generation of so-calledhard areas in the tissues of the skin) on the other hand.

Generally, the measurement of the elasticity (G′) and of the ratio ofviscosity over elasticity (tan delta=G″/G′) is carried out by afrequency scan from 0.01 to 100 Hz by means of a rheometer with a flatgeometry of 40 mm, an air gap of 1,000 μm and an analysis temperature of25° C.

As shown in Example 2, the cohesivity of the formulation according tothe invention is a major element but it is also required that theviscoelastic nature of the latter be suitable so as to:

avoid sedimentation over time of the hydroxyapatite particles withintheir container, and

avoid having a product which will separate into 2 phases (hydroxyapatiteparticles and crosslinked hyaluronic acid gel) during the injectionand/or at the injection area, thereby generating heterogeneous zones inthe treated area.

Another goal of the invention is to have a better lifetime as comparedwith formulations of the prior art. This better lifetime of theaesthetic effect is obtained through the ability of the crosslinkedhyaluronic acid to maintain over the long term the hydroxyapatiteparticles in the injection area and the ability of the hydroxyapatiteparticles to impart remarkable mechanical/rheological properties overthe long term. Therefore there will be less need to renew the injectionswith the formulation according to the invention, the gain in lifetime ina clinical situation probably being of several months.

It is also important to specify that the presence of radio-opaquehydroxyapatite particles provides an advantage to the gel since they maybe easily localized by the practitioner by radiography during and/orafter injection.

On the other hand, the ability of the hydroxyapatite particles tostimulate the endogenous production of collagen is an important elementof the invention. Slow resorption of the product in the tissues will beaccompanied by production of collagen (generation of volume andelasticity), which will provide the possibility of participating in theperformance of the treatment in the long term.

The possibility given to the practitioner of injecting a solution ofhyaluronidases for correcting his/her injection and degrading thecrosslinked hyaluronic acid making up the product also gives anadvantage to the invention. This injection does not however allowacceleration of the resorption of hydroxyapatite particles: thereforethere is no complete degradation of the product within the tissues.

The present invention therefore consists in a formulation, as describedabove, used for filling and/or restoring volumes and/or replacingbiological tissues, in particular i) restoring volumes of the face(cheeks, chin, cheekbones, temples, . . . ), ii) restoring volumes ofthe body (buttocks, breasts, hands, . . . ), iii) restoring volumes ofthe face in HIV patients affected by facial lipodystrophy.

The formulation according to the invention is generally used as such butit is not excluded that at least one other additive (other than thosementioned above) and/or at least one active ingredient are addedthereto.

Advantageously, the formulation according to the invention is aready-to-use formulation, since the practitioner does not have to mixhimself/herself the crosslinked hyaluronic acid and a hydroxyapatitesolution, just before the injection.

Thus, the formulation may further comprise one or several ceramicmaterials. These materials are generally selected from the groupcomprising tri-calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate and calcium sulfate,or a combination of several of its ceramic materials.

The formulation according to the invention may also further comprise oneor several anesthetics, selected from the group comprising lidocainealone or in combination with adrenaline, procaine, etidocaine alone orin combination with adrenaline, articaine alone or in combination withadrenaline, mepivacaine, pramocaine, quinisocaine, or one or several ofthe salts of these anesthetics. According to a particularly preferredalternative, the selected anesthetic is lidocaine hydrochloride. Thepresence of an anesthetic in the formulation according to the inventionhas a major benefit for improving the comfort of the patient during andafter injection.

According to another particular embodiment of the invention, theformulation according to the invention may also further comprise one orseveral antioxidants, such as the antioxidants of the family of polyols.The antioxidant may be selected from the group of polyols comprisingsorbitol, glycerol, mannitol or propylene glycol.

According to another object, the present invention relates to a methodfor preparing an injectable sterile aqueous formulation according to thepresent invention comprising the steps: a) preparing a first mixturecomprising, e.g. at least 0.1% to 4% or at least 1% to 4% by weight, ofcrosslinked hyaluronic acid or one of its salts, by forming covalentbonds between the chains of said biopolymer by means of bi- orpoly-functional molecules, the crosslinking carried out providing thepossibility of obtaining a gel based on crosslinked hyaluronic acid witha so-called cohesive structure, b) purifying said first mixture, c) thenadding hydroxyapatite, e.g. to a concentration of between more than 70%and 140% (mass/volume) by dispersing it homogeneously in the gel basedon crosslinked hyaluronic acid, d) converting the gel thereby obtainedinto a ready-to-use form, e) sterilizing the product in humid heat.

Sterilization of the formulation according to step e) is achieved inhumid heat. One skilled in the art will know how to select a heatsterilization cycle (temperature and duration of the sterilizationcycle) suitable for sterilizing his/her product. For example, thefollowing sterilization cycles in humid heat may be used: 131° C., 1min/130° C., 3 min/125° C., 7 mins/121° C., 20 mins.

According to another goal, the present invention relates to a kitpreferably in the form of a syringe containing the formulation asdescribed earlier.

The present invention also relates to a kit in the form of a containerother than a syringe such as an ampoule or a flask containing theformulation as described above.

The inventor has shown that in the following examples that theformulation according to the invention based on crosslinked HA shouldhave specific properties, notably cohesivity properties. If such is notthe case (see the examples with non-crosslinked HA or with crosslinkedHA not having the claimed structure), the hydroxyapatite particles arenot properly maintained within the matrix and may therefore diffuserelatively easily out of the gel, which implies a loss of volume at thetreated area (i.e. a loss of efficiency) and possible complicationsbecause of this migration causing safety problems.

The invention will now be illustrated in a non-limiting way with thefollowing Examples 1 to 4:

EXAMPLES Example 1

Preparation of a Gel Based on Crosslinked Hyaluronic Acid with aso-Called Cohesive Structure

Step 1:3.5 g of sodium hyaluronate of molecular weight 2.6 MDa are addedto 1% sodium hydroxide (30.5 g). The mixture is left to homogenize for 1h 30 mins. 420 mg of butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE) are added to themixture which is homogenized, closed and then placed in a water bath at50° C. for 2 h. The mixture is then neutralized by adding 7.5 g of 1NHCl.

The gel is purified for 24 h by dialysis with an iso-osmolarphysiological solution having neutral pH (regenerated cellulose,separation limit: molecular mass=60 kDa) in order to obtain a hyaluronicacid concentration of 25 mg/ml (2.5%). It is then homogenized in aconventional blade mixer for 1 h 30 mins (=gel A1/124 g).

The gel may finally be degassed, filled into 2 ml glass syringes andsterilized by a steam autoclave at 130° C. for 3 minutes (−gelA/viscoelastic gel of a so-called cohesive or monophasic structure).

Step 2: Preparation of the gel according to the invention. In 100 g ofgel A1, 42.9 g of phosphocalcium hydroxyapatite Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂ areadded, the particles of which have an average grain size between 30 and50 micrometers and then the gel is homogenized in a conventional mixerwith blades for 1 h 30 mins (=gel B1/142.9 g).

The gel may finally be degassed, filled into 2 ml glass syringes andsterilized by a steam autoclave at 130° C. for 3 minutes (=gel B).

The gel is particulate, cohesive, viscoelastic. Indeed, the latterappears as a viscoelastic gel (it has elasticity G′ and viscosity G″properties/see below), having strong cohesivity (see Example 2) andcontaining hydroxyapatite particles.

The hyaluronic acid concentration of the gel is 17.5 mg/ml (1.75%)(assay with carbazole, method of the European Pharmacopeia). On theother hand, the pH (7.15) and the osmolarity (315 mOsm/kg) of the gelare physiological values.

The gel is easily injectable through a needle: A force of 26.3 N isrequired for pushing the gel through a 21G 1½ needle, considering apushing rate of 12.5 mm/minute.

The gels A and B are characterized from a mechanical/rheological pointof view: The rheometer used for carrying out these characterizations isa AR2000 (TA Instruments) with a flat geometry of 40 mm, an air gap of1,000 micrometers and an analysis temperature of 25° C.

A measurement of the elasticity (G′) and of the ratio of viscosity overelasticity (tan delta=G″/G′) is carried out by using a frequency scanfrom 0.1 to 100 Hz.

A comparison of the parameters is carried out at 1 Hz.

Gel G′(1 Hz) in Pa Tan delta (1 Hz) A 184 0.25 B 381 0.29

It is seen that the product B has a significantly higher elasticity thanthe product A. The tan delta values of each of the products A and B,however, are relatively close: the gel B retains a substantially viscousnature, in spite of the presence of the hydroxyapatite particles (whichthemselves have high elasticity and negligible viscosity). This strongerelasticity, in combination with the strong cohesivity of the productaccording to the invention, provides an enhanced ability of the productto generate volume in tissues.

A measurement of the normal force induced by the gel to be tested iscarried out by compressing the sample between the Peltier plane and thegeometry for an air gap of 1,500 micrometers and an amount of gel of 1.4g.

Gel Normal force (N) A 0.86 B 1.47

It may be seen that the product B has a significantly strongerelasticity and induced normal force than the product A.

This stronger elasticity, combined with the strong cohesivity of the gelaccording to the invention, provides an enhanced ability of the productto generate volume in tissues.

Example 2

Importance of the so-Called Cohesive Structure of the Gel Based onCorsslinked HA—Comparison

The gel A1 (of a so-called cohesive or monophasic structure) describedin Example 1 is dialyzed with an iso-osmolar physiological solutionhaving neutral pH (regenerated cellulose, separation limit: molecularmass=60 kDa) in order to obtain a hyaluronic acid concentration of 20mg/ml (2%).

Calcium hydroxyapatite is then added into the gel in order to obtain aconcentration of 200 mg/ml (20%) and then mixing with a spatula iscarried out (2 minutes for 5 g of gel).

The gel thereby obtained is then sterilized in the autoclave at 121° C.for 20 minutes (=gel B′ according to the invention).

The commercial Resylane® Perlane® gel (batch 11363-1) based oncrosslinked hyaluronic acid with a non-cohesive or biphasic structure,the hyaluronic acid concentration of which is 20 mg/ml (2%), is dopedwith 200 mg/ml (20%) of calcium hydroxyapatite by mixing with a spatula(2 minutes for 5 g of gel).

The gel thereby obtained is then sterilized in the autoclave at 121° C.for 20 minutes (=gel X).

The gel A1 and the Restylane® Perlane® gel are compared according to thefollowing test:

In 30 ml flasks containing 5 ml of purified water, 1 ml of gel A1 isintroduced into the flask 1 and 1 ml of Restylane® Perlane® gel isintroduced into the flask 2. After closing the flasks, both flasks aremixed manually for 5 seconds.

After 10 seconds, it is observed that the Restylane® Perlane® gel hascompletely disaggregated/dispersed, forming a multitude of particles inthe aqueous solution. Thus the Restylane® Perlane® gel does indeed havea so-called non-cohesive or biphasic structure (the gel is rapidlydispersed in the aqueous solution).

The gel A1, however, is always in the form of a «gel ball» in theaqueous solution. It therefore indeed has a so-called cohesive ormonophasic structure (the gel does not rapidly disperse in the aqueoussolution, it has strong cohesivity, unlike the Restylane®Perlane® gel).

The gel B′ according to the invention and the gel X are comparedaccording to the following test (see FIG. 1):

In a 30 ml plastic flask containing 5 ml of purified water, 1 ml of gelB′ is introduced into the flask 1 and 1 ml of gel X into the flask 2.After closing the flasks, both flasks are mixed for 5 seconds, manually.

After 10 seconds, it is observed that the gel X has completelydisaggregated/dispersed, forming a multitude of particles in the aqueoussolution. The gel X has a particulate non-cohesive viscoelasticstructure. It does not correspond to the characteristics of the gelaccording to the invention. In medical practice for a use in aesthetics,the latter will diffuse/migrate around the injection area.

The gel B′, itself, is always in the form of a gel ball in the aqueoussolution. It therefore indeed has a particulate cohesive structure whichwithin the scope of medical practice for use in aesthetics will give thepossibility of not diffusing/migrating around the injected area, andthus avoiding complications related to the migration of hydroxyapatiteparticles in the tissues but also having better long term performance ofthe product since the injected gel will be able to maintain its abilityto generate volume in tissues over a long period, in view of the absenceof migration of the biomaterial of the treated area.

Example 3

Importance of the Viscoelasticity of the Gel according to theInvention—Comparison

Let C be a gel prepared according to the same procedure (Steps 1&2) asthe one described in Example 1 by introducing 200 mg of BDDE instead of420 mg.

Let D be a gel prepared according to the same procedure (Steps 1&2) asthe one described in Example 1 by introducing 290 mg of BDDE instead of420 mg.

The gel C is characterized from a mechanical/rheological point of view.

The rheometer used for carrying out the rheological characterizations isan AR2000 (TA Instruments) with a flat geometry of 40 mm, an air gap of1,000 micrometers and an analysis temperature of 25° C.

A measurement of the viscosity-to-elasticity ratio (tan delta=G″/G′) iscarried out by performing frequency scanning from 0.01 to 100 Hz.

A comparison of the parameters is carried out at 1 Hz.

Gel Tan delta = G″/G′(1 Hz) C 0.84 D 0.58

It is seen that the hydroxyapatite particles tend to settle over time (aphenomenon which is well observed when a sample is transferred to thecentrifuge) for gel C, which is not observed for gel D.

This sedimentation involves obtaining products based on non-homogeneoushydroxyapatite particles, which is not satisfactory for the act ofinjecting the gel through a needle (blocking of the needle) but also forthe safety and the performance of the product in the injection area(significant risks of complications such as for example the generationof so-called hard areas in the tissues of the skin).

As shown in the Example 2 the cohesivity of the gel according to theinvention is significant but it is also required that the viscoelasticnature of the latter be suitable so as to:

avoid sedimentation over time of the hydroxyapatite particles withintheir container,

avoid having a product which will separate into 2 phases (hydroxyapatiteparticles and crosslinked hyaluronic acid gel) during the injectionand/or at the injection area, thereby generating heterogeneous zones inthe treated area.

The elastic nature of the gel (relative to its viscosity) shouldtherefore be sufficiently large so as to be able to avoid sedimentationof the particles.

Example 4

Comparison of the Gel According to the Invention with Solution of thePrior Art

a) Formulation Based on Non-Crosslinked HA and on Hydroxypatite.

As described in the literature, in vivo, non-crosslinked hyaluronic acidhas a lifetime of less than one week.

Therefore, a non-crosslinked HA solution with hydroxyapatite is of nointerest since the non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid will be very rapidlyresorbed and it will not allow migration of the hydroxyapatite particlesto be prevented over the long term.

b) Aqueous Formulation of Hydroxyapatite.

An aqueous solution of hydroxyapatite (S1) is prepared (30% ofphosphocalcium hydroxyapatite having a grain size comprised between 30and 50 micrometers in an iso-osmolar physiological solution and havingneutral pH).

In a 30 ml plastic flask containing 5 ml of purified water, 1 ml ofsolution S1 is introduced. Immediate dispersion of the hydroxyapatiteparticles in the flask is observed.

Unlike the formulation according to the invention, the solution S1 isunable to maintain the hydroxyapatite particles at the injection areaover the long term.

c) Formulation Based on CMC and Hydroxyapatite (See FIG. 1)

An aqueous formulation of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and ofhydroxyapatite (S3) is prepared (30% of phosphocalcium hydroxyapatitehaving a grain size comprised between 30 and 50 micrometers, and 2% ofCMC at 250,000 Da in an iso-osmolar physiological solution having aneutral pH).

In a 30 ml plastic flask containing 5 ml of purified water, 1 ml of theformulation S3 is introduced. After closing the flask, the flask ismanually mixed for 5 seconds.

After 10 seconds, it is observed that the formulation S3 is completelydisaggregated/dispersed as a multitude of particles in the aqueoussolution.

Unlike the formulation according to the invention, the formulation S3 isunable to maintain the hydroxyapatite particles in the injection areaover the long term.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An injectable sterile aqueous formulationin the form of a particulate cohesive viscoelastic gel comprising: i)crosslinked hyaluronic acid, or a salt thereof, at a concentration ofbetween 0.1% and 4% (mass/volume), and ii) hydroxyapatite at aconcentration of between more that 70% and 140% (mass/volume), thehydroxyapatite being in the form of particles with an average size ofless than or equal to 200 μm, wherein the injectable sterile aqueousformulation exhibits viscoelastic properties such that the tan δ at afrequency of 1 Hz is less than or equal to 0.60.
 2. The injectablesterile aqueous formulation of claim 1, wherein the molecular mass ofthe hyaluronic acid, or of one of its salts, is between 2.5×10⁵ Dalton(Da) and 4×10⁶ Da.
 3. The injectable sterile aqueous formulation ofclaim 1, wherein the formulation has been sterilized in humid heat. 4.The injectable sterile aqueous formulation of claim 1, wherein theconcentration of the crosslinked hyaluronic acid or of one of its salts,is between 0.5% and 2% (mass/volume).
 5. The injectable sterile aqueousformulation of claim 1, wherein the concentration of hydroxyapatite isbetween 75% and 120% (mass/volume).
 6. The injectable sterile aqueousformulation of claim 1, wherein the concentration of hydroxyapatite isbetween 80% and 110% (mass/volume).
 7. The injectable sterile aqueousformulation of claim 1, wherein the average size of the hydroxyapatiteparticles is less than or equal to 100 μm and greater than or equal to10 μm.
 8. The injectable sterile aqueous formulation of claim 1, whereinthe average size of the hydroxyapatite particles is less than or equalto 50 μm and greater than or equal to 10 μm.
 9. The injectable sterileaqueous formulation of claim 1, wherein the formulation furthercomprises one or more ceramic materials.
 10. The injectable sterileaqueous formulation of claim 1, wherein the formulation furthercomprises one or more anaesthetics.
 11. The injectable sterile aqueousformulation of claim 10, wherein the one or more anaesthetics areselected from the group consisting of lidocaine, adrenaline, procaine,etidocaine, articaine, mepivacaine, pramocaine, quinisocaine, and saltsthereof.
 12. The injectable sterile aqueous formulation of claim 11,wherein the anaesthetic is lidocaine hydrochloride.
 13. The injectablesterile aqueous formulation of claim 1, wherein the formulation furthercomprises one or more antioxidants.
 14. The injectable sterile aqueousformulation of claim 13, wherein the one or more antioxidants arepolyols.
 15. The injectable sterile aqueous formulation of claim 14,wherein the polyols are selected from the group consisting of sorbitol,glycerol, mannitol and propylene glycol.
 16. The injectable sterileaqueous formulation of claim 1, which is in the form of an aestheticfiller for filling and/or restoring volumes and/or replacing biologicaltissues.
 17. A kit containing the injectable sterile aqueous formulationof claim
 1. 18. The kit of claim 17, wherein the injectable sterileaqueous formulation is comprised in a syringe, an ampoule or a flask.19. A method for making an injectable sterile aqueous formulationaccording to claim 1 comprising the steps: a) preparing a first mixturecomprising crosslinked hyaluronic acid, or a salt thereof, by formingcovalent bonds between the chains of the hyaluronic acid using bi- orpoly-functional molecules to provide a crosslinked hyaluronic acid witha cohesive structure, b) purifying the first mixture, c) addinghydroxyapatite to the purified first mixture from step b) and dispersingthe hydroxyapatite homogeneously in the purified first mixturecomprising crosslinked hyaluronic acid to form a gel product, d)converting the gel product obtained in step c) into a ready-to-use form,and e) sterilizing the gel product in a ready-to-use form in humid heat.